Parent’s Guide to Marching Band
2020 Fall Marching Band updates will be posted here and on Facebook once available.
Welcome to The Anoka Marching Band!
What an awesome opportunity for your student! They joined marching band! You will also have the opportunity to become involved with this great and talented group of kids as well as the Anoka Band Parents Association (ABPA). Here are some helpful hints that we wish we would have known before the first day of practice!
WHO’S WHO: (a.k.a. Who in the world is my student talking about???)
Here are some of the adult staff you might hear about and how they lead marching band:
Tim Hauser: (Students call him “Hauser.”) Mr. Hauser is a Band Director at Anoka High School. He is the head of marching band. Mr. Hauser chooses the theme and creates the music for the field show.
Anders Rahkola: Mr. Rahkola is currently a St. Cloud State University student majoring in music. In previous years, he’s led our winds and brass students and worked as a visual instructor. He leads many of the field practices.
Parent Liaisons
Once we have a decision around Fall Marching Band we will provide contact information for each liaison.
Kristy Manning (Chair) - Gabe Manning, Mellophone and Clarinet, Class of 2021.
Jessica Lakanen - Laila Lakanen, Baritone, Class of 2021. Oliver Lakanen, Battery Percussion, Class of 2022.
Paul Bloomer - Grace Bloomer, Flute, Tenor Sax, Bariton, Class of 2021. Luke Bloomer, Battery Percussion, Class of 2022.
Sandra Tiffany - Kyra Tiffany, Front Line Percussion, Class of 2017. Nat Barnish, Front Line Percussion, Class of 2022.
Jamie St. Hilaire -Dallas St. Hilaire, Drum Major and Mellophone, Class of 2019. Kaleb St. Hilaire, Baritone, Class of 2023. Kendyl St. Hilaire, Front Line Percussion, Class of 2023.
Trisha Blomquist - Olivia Dodge, Trumpet, Class of 2023.
Nicole Hepokoski -Logan Hepokoski, Tenor and Alto Saxophone, Class of 2022
Kristine Wippich - Aidan Wippich, Battery Percussion, Class of 2023
Jen Taylor - Emily Taylor, Alto Saxophone, Class of 2023
TERMS TO KNOW
Turns out there’s a whole different language for marching band. Here’s some terms your student will start saying to confuse you:
Chickens: The plumes (feathers) on top of their shakos (hats).
Dot Book: The small spiral notebook your student will receive in which they map out their placement and movement on the field for their show.
Drill: Where they move on the field as they play.
Field Show: The musical show they perform in competition and are judged on. Each performance is 5-10 minutes long. Minor changes - or major ones - are made each week so each performance is fun to watch and see their improvement as the season progresses. It is also why each practice is SO important to attend.
Home Show: Named “Music in Motion,” our home show is when other high school marching bands come to compete by performing their own field shows for judges. Our Marching Tornadoes perform in exhibition after the competing bands are finished.
Sections: This is the group of same/similar instruments as to what your student plays. (ex: Clarinets include both B flat Clarinets and Bass Clarinets)
Section Pride shirt: During spat camp, each section will collaborate on designing/choosing their own section shirt. This is done outside of practice time. They wear them on section pride day during Spat camp. Lots of fun pictures taken this day! (More about Pride Shirts in the Spat Camp section below)
Show Shirt: This is the t-shirt ordered at the time of registration that represents their field show for the year. It lists all of the band’s upcoming performances on the back. All students get one with their registration fee and will need it to change into after performances and parades. You can order more and many parents do. It’s really fun as a parent to order one for yourself to wear when volunteering or being with the band, or just to brag!!!
Spat Camp: The week usually in August, is when the students learn the majority of their field show. There are five, 10-12 hour practices every day this week. It is very important to be there as the band not only learns the show, but they bond and come together as a group. This is mandatory.
Tornado Night Out: This is a required fundraising night(s) when students wear uniforms and are driven by a band parent to local neighborhoods to ask for donations. This is a time for students to get to know each other better and is a huge fundraiser for our band...over nine thousand dollars was collected last year! Our newest band members are paired up with upperclassmen. They will show them what to do.
Volunteering: The most rewarding experience of your life while bonding with your student! :) Many opportunities!!
YIMs: (pronounced “yimz”) Y.I.M. stands for Youth In Music, the name of the Marching Band Championship competition held the second weekend in October at U.S. Bank Stadium. This competition is the culmination of all their hard work in perfecting their field show over the marching band season. Our Marching Tornadoes have done very well in their class for the last three years, taking Third Place honors in 2019, First Place honors in 2018, First Place honors in 2016, and First Runner Up honors in 2017. Students refer to the competition as YIMs.
UNIFORMS and EQUIPMENT
For each performance in which your student is to wear his/her full uniform, this refers to all of the following:
Spandex (top and bottoms) - purchased by student’s families - mandatory item
Uniform [Bibs (pants) and Jacket (with mirror attached)] - provided by the marching band program
Shako (with Plume (feather)) - provided by the marching band program
Gauntlets - provided by the marching band program
Gloves - provided by the marching band program
Band Socks - purchased by student’s families - mandatory item
Band Shoes - purchased by families through the school at registration - mandatory item
Spandex refers to black performance wear, shorts and short sleeve tops. They do need to be all black as the band is required to be at least half uniform even when they practice on the field at shows. One person without their black shirt means they have to practice in full uniform, and that’s hot some days! The purpose of spandex is to protect uniforms, and to allow students to change out of their uniforms on the bus after a performance. You may want to consider buying two sets of spandex: some weekends they perform at a football game Friday night and then again at a competition on Saturday morning. Think sweaty teens….
Uniforms for the instrument-playing band members and drum majors will be issued prior to the performance season. The school issued uniforms include the black bibs (pants) and coordinating jacket. Students will be fitted for the correct size, usually in July. ALL uniforms are stored at school or on the band trailer in a garment bag labeled with the band member’s name and will be checked out for each performance. This makes the process of being ready for a performance much more efficient and lowers the possibility of forgetting any part of your uniform. For performances, jackets should have a triangular mirror velcroed to the front. A Band Parent Volunteer will distribute and collect mirrors before and after each performance.
Key things for students to remember regarding school issued uniforms:
The uniform belongs to the school. You are allowed to use this uniform as part of your membership in this organization.
Always wear your uniform with pride and respect for the Anoka Marching Band to which you belong.
There are 3 stages of performance dress (and 3 stages only): out of dress (street clothes), half-dress, and full dress. These will be explained, in great detail, during rehearsal.
Shakos are also fitted for each student during the summer before performance season. These are stored on the marching band trailer in boxes labeled with the student’s name. Plumes (feathers on top of the shakos) are stored separately from shakos in their own containers. A Band Parent Volunteer will be in charge of distributing and retrieving them before and after each performance.
Gauntlets are white sleeve covers worn over the wrist and forearm of the uniform jacket. These are fitted to each band member and will be stored in his/her garment bag.
Gloves are provided to each member and typically are stored in his/her garment bag. The white gloves have a tendency to get dirty after several performances and may need replacing mid-season, or at the very least, before Youth In Music Championships.
Band Socks are to be solid black, knee length, and tight enough so they do not fall down during marching. Many parents purchase soccer socks.
Band Shoes are purchased by member’s families and ordered through the school via the marching band registration form received at Registration Night. They are black to match the uniform bibs.
What About Color Guard Uniforms?
Color Guard uniforms and shoes are ordered in the summer every year to fit each individual member. Guard uniforms are selected to mirror the theme of that year’s field show.
Other Equipment:
Things your student will need at all rehearsals:
Their instrument (including reeds, mallets/sticks, valve oil, etc.)
A BIG water bottle - most members use a one or two-gallon size jug during summer months
Sunscreen – necessary for all summer rehearsals.
Bug spray for evening rehearsals
Athletic Shoes (Required for practice – No Sandals - no exceptions)
A pen or pencil.
Their dot book (provided after a few weeks into rehearsals)
A hat or something to cover the head in the heat outside
A drawstring bag in which to carry their small items
Anything Else That’s Required??:
Sports Physical: The Minnesota State High School League requires that a Sports Qualifying Physical Examination Clearance Form must be on file with the high school and renewed every three years for each student involved in a fall sport/activity. In previous years, clinics such as Fairview and Twin Cities Orthopedics have provided free high school physicals by appointment at their various clinics around the Twin Cities during the summer. Appointments are limited and registration often opens as early as the first week in June - check their websites for details.
PRACTICES and SPAT CAMP
PRACTICES
(a.k.a. What’s my commitment?)
Practice Schedule:
It seems like a lot of time...and it is. Everything worth doing takes hard work. Practices in the summer range from 2-6 hours and longer during Spat Camp. Some students may come home discouraged or struggling with the drill. Encourage them to hang in there! We have seen students go from questioning why they joined marching band to it being all they could talk about, developing confidence and pride by the end of the season! A practice and performance calendar for the band season will be distributed at registration night, but it is also available on Mr. Hauser’s webpage at the Anoka High School website.
SPAT CAMP
(a.k.a. The Best Week EVER!)
Usually around mid-August, band members participate in Spat Camp, a Monday through Saturday mandatory intensive six days of learning their field show music and the associated drill. Practices are up to 12 hours a day at the high school, with much of that time spent outdoors in the elements, whether that be 90+ degree heat and humidity (more likely for August) or 65 degree chilly wind. It’s important to prepare ahead of time for these outdoors hours by sending your student to practices with appropriate gear to avoid heat exhaustion, sunburn and a plethora of bug bites. (Seriously, the bugs can be vicious!)
In addition to the equipment listed above as required for every rehearsal, there are a few other highly recommended items for long Spat Camp days you might consider for your student:
Light-colored clothing
An additional pair of athletic shoes - some switch shoes mid-practice for better foot support
Sunglasses
Hats with a brim, or a covering for the neck
Small towels (for wiping away perspiration)
Dot Book: Your student will be given a small spiral notebook to use for his/her Dot Book. As he/she is learning the music and the drill of the field show, this book is their cheatsheet until they have it all memorized. Inside it, your student will record, in writing and/or with diagrams, where his/her personal “dots” are on the field as the field show music is played from beginning to end.
Food: On these long days, it will be necessary for your students to bring a lunch from home each day. Dinners are provided daily by the ABPA. ***Please notify Mr. Hauser or a chairperson of the Anoka Band Parents of any special dietary needs so an alternative may be provided for your student, if needed.
Bonding Night: Typically on the Thursday night of Spat Camp, the students will stay later than their usual quitting time to have a bonding activity that is solely run by the kids, for the kids. There is nothing for your student to worry about or any “initiation” going on. It is simply a positive bonding experience for the students. In the past, this activity has run longer than the kids have expected, resulting in some frustrated parents waiting long periods of time to pick up their students. It is best to have them text or call you when they are done, or perhaps arrange a ride home with an upperclassman.
Parent Preview: Saturday afternoon of Spat Camp week will be a Parent Preview. It is an opportunity for the band to show off what they have learned of their field show in just 5 days’ time. Parents, siblings and other extended family members (i.e. grandparents) are invited. Lunch will be served by the ABPA for all attending.
Pride Shirts: Typically by Tuesday of Spat Camp week, your students section will have gotten the ball rolling for the creation of Section Pride Shirts, to be worn on Friday of Spat Camp week. These shirts are often the inexpensive ($3-$4) t-shirts that can be found at Michael’s, Joann’s or Hobby Lobby in an array of colors. The group will pick a color of shirt and a theme for how they are decorated. Sometimes they will bring them to Spat Camp and work on them as a section on breaks, or they will meet at someone’s home in the evening to make them, or they may work on them individually at home.
** If your freshman/new marching band member has heard nothing about Pride shirts by the end of the day on Tuesday, please bring it to the attention of their section or a Drum Major.
Just a helpful note: if your student is painting the front AND the back of their shirt, remember it takes an overnight for each side to dry, so start the first side no later than Wednesday evening. One of our freshmen moms figured this out the hard way... (oops!)
Is It Too Much?: While it all sounds strenuous and maybe even downright miserable to practice for 12 hours a day all week long, band parents will attest that most of our students discover Spat Camp week to be a fun experience where they make new friends, bond as a group, and build pride for the band and for their school. If your freshman finds the first few days overly taxing, please encourage them to stick it out. It is a rare student who dislikes the experience enough to want to quit after Spat Camp.
PARENT VOLUNTEERING
PARENT VOLUNTEERING
(a.k.a. Hey, This sounds fun! How can I get involved??)
Well, we’re glad you asked!! There are many ways you may want to get involved. Look for emails or sign up notifications sent out by the marching band volunteer coordinator for possible opportunities. Have a particular talent or ability? Have a passion for props or chaperoning? Just connect with the volunteer coordinator and I bet we have a spot for you!
Here’s some info you might like to know:
Anoka Band Parents Association (ABPA): This is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to supporting the Anoka Band Program. If each parent contributes a small amount of time and talent to the band it will assist in keeping costs reasonable for students, provide necessary logistical support, and give parents a chance to get to know each other.
Parents help the band in many ways: cheering in the stands, fundraising, first-aid, photography, equipment moving, uniform specialists, etc.... Most parent volunteer coordination throughout the season is taken care of by our booster organization (ANOKA BAND PARENTS). EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND MONTHLY MEETINGS. We are all volunteers on the board.
Props: The marching band field show has props used to enhance their field show. These props are usually created by parents and students led by the Volunteer(s) in charge of props, who work(s) closely with Mr. Hauser to make the show great.
Concessions: The band runs the concession stand at events on Goodrich field. There are many volunteer opportunities to work with other parents. It’s a great way to get to know others and attend soccer and/or football games for free! Detailed info about all the concession jobs is available so you have an idea of what you’ll be doing.
Fundraisers: We have many opportunities to fundraise for the band: Tornado Night Out, Heggies’ pizza and peaches are all fundraisers for all bands. These three fundraisers happen usually in August or the first few weeks of September.
We have a Home Show? What’s this? - THIS IS ON HIATUS - DURING CONSTRUCTION AT GOODRICH FIELD
This is Anoka’s marching band show that we host on Goodrich Field located at the Fred Moore campus of Anoka Middle Schools for the Arts. This is our show. It is called Music in Motion. At our own home show, our band will perform in exhibition while other local marching bands compete. This is where we need the most volunteers to make the event successful. It truly is a big group effort!
COMMUNICATION
How do I find out what’s going on in Marching Tornado World?
Mr. Hauser typically sends emails with details, and an ABPA officer/chairperson will post them on the facebook pages as well. Here’s some helpful websites/facebook pages to know about:
ABPA website: www.anokabandparents.com
Anoka HS website: https://www.ahschools.us/ahs (for the updated band calendar)
Facebook: Anoka Band Parents, Anoka Marching Tornadoes 2020 (for the band members)
Now You Are Ready!
Again, welcome to marching band! We hope this experience is as amazing for your student as it was for ours. PLEASE ask any of the marching band parents for help if you have any more questions.
Let’s Go Band!